Professional Communication (Post-Degree Diploma)
Curriculum Guideline
Effective Date:
Program code
PDPCOM
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Communications
Credential type
Post-Degree Diploma
Transcript title
Professional Communication
Date of first offering
Start term
202410
End term
Not Specified
Credential
Post-Degree Diploma in Professional Communication
Length of program
One year
Credits
30.00
Admissions requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or an equivalent credential from an approved institution of a different country. Any applicant who earned their credential in a language other than English must meet the Douglas College English language proficiency requirement.
- Applicants must also submit a letter of application and writing samples. In the letter, applicants must describe their prior educational and work experience as well as explain how completion of the diploma program will help them meet academic and/or career objectives. For the writing samples, applicants must select material (a combined total of 8–10 pages) that highlights their writing ability in at least three genres (for example, an academic essay, website copy, and a technical manual). Applicants should not include samples of collaborative writing; they may include excerpts from longer works. Electronic submission of the letter and writing samples (PDF format) is preferred.
Curriculum framework
Graduation Requirements:
- Successful completion of 30 credits
- 50% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- A minimum program GPA 2.00
- Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 4 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.
- Effective September 2024: Up to 50% (15 credits) of coursework used towards a previously received credential can be used to meet graduation requirements (see the Credentials Awarded Policy).
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| Required courses: | ||
| CMNS 3000 | Communication Professions | 3.00 |
| CMNS 4000 | Communication Practice & Portfolio | 3.00 |
| Select eight courses from the following fourteen options: | ||
| CMNS 3100 | Language, Institutions and Power | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3102 | Language Studies for Professional Communication | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3103 | Research Report and Proposal Writing | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3200 | Professional Editing | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3316 | Conflict Resolution: Advanced Practices | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3400 | Document Design | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3401 | Visual Communication | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3500 | Technical Communication | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3501 | Writing and Developing Websites | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3502 | Social Media & Reputation Management | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3600 | Writing for Online and Print Magazines | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3700 | Strategic Public Relations | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3800 | Special Topics in Professional Communication | 3.00 |
| CMNS 3901 | Directed Studies in Professional Communication | 3.00 |
| Total Credits | 30.00 | |
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will:
- Demonstrate readiness to work as a professional communicator in a variety of contexts, including through the production of a professional work portfolio;
- Write and edit to produce a wide variety of professional documents for both internal and external purposes, demonstrating readability, style, substance, correct language fundamentals, and context sensitivity;
- Design and develop professionally appealing two-dimensional physical and digital communications products, including through use of industry-standard software for layout, graphic design, and coding;
- Demonstrate awareness of political, cultural, social, and ethical sensitivities and expectations when working as a communications professional;
- Identify and use communications strategies, tactics, and best practices for public relations, crisis communications, and social media; and
- Participate in a professional work experience opportunity to prepare for future career paths, emerging job markets, and other work options for professional communicators.